Mental & Behavioral Health Nursing
(NUR2459) – Rasmussen College –
Final Exam Review (2024/2025)
Section 1: Psychiatric Disorders (15 Questions)
1. A patient with major depressive disorder reports feelings of worthlessness. What is
the nurse’s priority intervention?
a) Encourage participation in group activities
b) Assess for suicidal ideation
c) Administer an SSRI immediately
d) Restrict all social interactions
Answer: b) Assess for suicidal ideation
Rationale: Feelings of worthlessness in depression increase suicide risk, making
assessment for suicidal ideation the priority.
2. Which symptom is characteristic of schizophrenia?
a) Hallucinations
b) Excessive energy
c) Increased appetite
d) Hypersomnia
Answer: a) Hallucinations
Rationale: Hallucinations, particularly auditory, are a hallmark positive symptom of
schizophrenia.
3. A patient with bipolar disorder is in a manic phase. What is a key nursing
intervention?
a) Provide a high-stimulation environment
b) Maintain a calm, structured environment
c) Encourage unlimited physical activity
d) Restrict all food intake
Answer: b) Maintain a calm, structured environment
Rationale: A calm, structured environment reduces stimulation and helps manage manic
symptoms.
4. What is a key symptom of generalized anxiety disorder (GAD)?
a) Delusions
b) Excessive worrying
c) Hypersomnia
d) Flat affect
, Answer: b) Excessive worrying
Rationale: GAD is characterized by persistent, excessive worrying about multiple issues.
5. A patient with post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) reports nightmares. What is a
key intervention?
a) Encourage exposure to triggers
b) Teach relaxation techniques
c) Restrict all sleep
d) Administer stimulants
Answer: b) Teach relaxation techniques
Rationale: Relaxation techniques help manage PTSD symptoms like nightmares by
reducing hyperarousal.
6. What is a key feature of borderline personality disorder?
a) Stable relationships
b) Fear of abandonment
c) Excessive sleeping
d) Hypomania
Answer: b) Fear of abandonment
Rationale: Borderline personality disorder is characterized by intense fear of
abandonment and unstable relationships.
7. A patient with obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD) reports intrusive thoughts.
What is the nurse’s best action?
a) Encourage acting on the thoughts
b) Teach cognitive-behavioral techniques
c) Restrict all activity
d) Administer antipsychotics immediately
Answer: b) Teach cognitive-behavioral techniques
Rationale: Cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT) helps manage intrusive thoughts in
OCD.
8. Which symptom indicates alcohol withdrawal?
a) Bradycardia
b) Tremors and seizures
c) Hypothermia
d) Increased appetite
Answer: b) Tremors and seizures
Rationale: Alcohol withdrawal can cause tremors, seizures, and delirium due to nervous
system hyperactivity.
9. A patient with anorexia nervosa has a BMI of 16. What is the nurse’s priority?
a) Encourage rapid weight gain
b) Monitor for refeeding syndrome
c) Restrict all physical activity
d) Administer sedatives
Answer: b) Monitor for refeeding syndrome
Rationale: Refeeding syndrome is a life-threatening complication in malnourished
patients during nutritional restoration.
10. What is a key symptom of panic disorder?
a) Sudden intense fear with palpitations
(NUR2459) – Rasmussen College –
Final Exam Review (2024/2025)
Section 1: Psychiatric Disorders (15 Questions)
1. A patient with major depressive disorder reports feelings of worthlessness. What is
the nurse’s priority intervention?
a) Encourage participation in group activities
b) Assess for suicidal ideation
c) Administer an SSRI immediately
d) Restrict all social interactions
Answer: b) Assess for suicidal ideation
Rationale: Feelings of worthlessness in depression increase suicide risk, making
assessment for suicidal ideation the priority.
2. Which symptom is characteristic of schizophrenia?
a) Hallucinations
b) Excessive energy
c) Increased appetite
d) Hypersomnia
Answer: a) Hallucinations
Rationale: Hallucinations, particularly auditory, are a hallmark positive symptom of
schizophrenia.
3. A patient with bipolar disorder is in a manic phase. What is a key nursing
intervention?
a) Provide a high-stimulation environment
b) Maintain a calm, structured environment
c) Encourage unlimited physical activity
d) Restrict all food intake
Answer: b) Maintain a calm, structured environment
Rationale: A calm, structured environment reduces stimulation and helps manage manic
symptoms.
4. What is a key symptom of generalized anxiety disorder (GAD)?
a) Delusions
b) Excessive worrying
c) Hypersomnia
d) Flat affect
, Answer: b) Excessive worrying
Rationale: GAD is characterized by persistent, excessive worrying about multiple issues.
5. A patient with post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) reports nightmares. What is a
key intervention?
a) Encourage exposure to triggers
b) Teach relaxation techniques
c) Restrict all sleep
d) Administer stimulants
Answer: b) Teach relaxation techniques
Rationale: Relaxation techniques help manage PTSD symptoms like nightmares by
reducing hyperarousal.
6. What is a key feature of borderline personality disorder?
a) Stable relationships
b) Fear of abandonment
c) Excessive sleeping
d) Hypomania
Answer: b) Fear of abandonment
Rationale: Borderline personality disorder is characterized by intense fear of
abandonment and unstable relationships.
7. A patient with obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD) reports intrusive thoughts.
What is the nurse’s best action?
a) Encourage acting on the thoughts
b) Teach cognitive-behavioral techniques
c) Restrict all activity
d) Administer antipsychotics immediately
Answer: b) Teach cognitive-behavioral techniques
Rationale: Cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT) helps manage intrusive thoughts in
OCD.
8. Which symptom indicates alcohol withdrawal?
a) Bradycardia
b) Tremors and seizures
c) Hypothermia
d) Increased appetite
Answer: b) Tremors and seizures
Rationale: Alcohol withdrawal can cause tremors, seizures, and delirium due to nervous
system hyperactivity.
9. A patient with anorexia nervosa has a BMI of 16. What is the nurse’s priority?
a) Encourage rapid weight gain
b) Monitor for refeeding syndrome
c) Restrict all physical activity
d) Administer sedatives
Answer: b) Monitor for refeeding syndrome
Rationale: Refeeding syndrome is a life-threatening complication in malnourished
patients during nutritional restoration.
10. What is a key symptom of panic disorder?
a) Sudden intense fear with palpitations
